Play “Free Bird”

Miami is a geographical anomaly. It’s the only place in the world where you have to travel north to get to the South. Yet as culturally removed as the Magic City is from America’s soul-food region, any self-respecting rock ’n’ roller from Florida knows he can’t front on some Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The group is best known for “Sweet Home Alabama,” but these good old boys are from Jacksonville, Florida. One of the greatest bands of Southern rockers to ever touch instruments, they were tragically brought down in their heyday when devil-may-care frontman Ronnie Van Zant, legendary guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines were killed in a horrific plane crash. But the music has lived on since the group reformed in 1987 with Van Zant’s brother Johnny at the helm, and holy hell, do they still rock it.
On the road in support of its new album, Last of a Dying Breed, the band is having a bit of a homecoming at Magic City Casino (450 NW 37th Ave., Miami) this Saturday.
Sat., Oct. 19, 8 p.m., 2013